In August 2008, we opened our door in Bella Coola at our new office at the back end of the Restaurant/Bar commonly known as the “Cedar Inn.” “BEER…WINE…Karaoke….Legal Advocacy…Western…Korean…Food….Hotel…” ran across a moving, flashing neon sign attached to the top of the building. No one knew where we were and hardly anyone connected the flashing sign as directions to us. It was the landlord’s idea and we were touched. We always showed that sign off when our Law Foundation of BC funders visited annually from Vancouver.

With the notable exception of the Native Courtworker, (now) Elder Sylvia Brown, and the 3-month Circuit Court, we were the first organization tasked with assisting people with a wide range of legal issues from Employment complaints to Pension issues to Wills On Reserve  Almost immediately, our half time Legal Advocate worked with a steady stream of people coming by. Also, via an Ulkatcho Band Council Resolution, we went up the Mountain every 3 months to work with people in Anahim Lake. On our first visit to Bella Bella we were greeted by a line out the door at the Heiltsuk Band Office. Within a short couple years we were welcomed and hosted by all 4 of the neighboring Nations including in Klemtu and Wuikinuxv villages.

4-seater Cessna wheel planes, Beaver Float planes and charter boats were our only method of transportation into 3 of the Communities where we worked on 3 day site visits every month or so except in the Winter. We wrote lots of extra Grants.

These Outreach efforts were sustained, regular and followed local protocols. These were our neighbours. We hosted legal presentations, hired local caterers for the workshop lunches, were invited to community events. We attended a wedding in early November one year, joining about 26 others boating out on a Charter to Bella Bella for the event. Bella Coola family and friends all joked “see you in the Spring” cuz we all knew winter boating was not the most reliable.  We attended Potlatches and feasted and witnessed. We watched the Sentencing Circle done by Heiltsuk people at the Circuit Court about the heartbreaking harm done by the Nathan E Stewart oil spill in Heiltsuk waters. Similarly we have been honoured to witness similar moments that are part of Community in each of the territories where we work.

Our day job was working with individuals facing legal concerns that were huge in their lives because they were not understood, often long avoided, stressy and sometimes scary. We worked to hear their stories and acknowledge the impact on their lives. We worked with people to break down their stories into the smaller bits we could then address. One story often became multiple legal topics and we worked with people to assess options and take the steps necessary to seek what were invariably positive outcomes. This outreach continues…

Photo: Bella Coola Townsite, hang a left up North Bentinck Arm and then turn Westward via the Channels 50 miles to Bella Bella etc.